Based on this Course of Creating an Inclusive School, it is indeed pertinent to implement the four broad topics discussed throughout the course. Firstly, take for example, the Features of an Inclusive School, we can use these features as a guide to improve and enhance our present setting. With the inclusion of these features we can ensure that we maintain an all round inclusive school.

Secondly, creating an inclusive ethos and culture allows avenues for all Stakeholders to feel a sense of belonging. It also makes it easier for managment when we create an "All Hands Aboard", approach.

Thirdly, as we build upon the first two topics we see the steps in creating a learning organisation. This stage has become clearer now in developing a learning organisation. We know that it will not be an overnight success but through time and effective planning we will be able to lift the standards in our education system.

Finally, without community, family and stakeholders assistance our backbone will be broken. In order to develop and create an inclusive school we need these four criterias. Thank you for the opportunity to be a participant in this Course as Iook forward to the implemetation and training at my school.

When I return to school I will create a buddy system for those that need assistance as well as collaborating with my staff so as to ensure that we have a more inclusive structure at our school. This of course will have to include all stakeholders so that those who are most in need of assistance can actually benefit from it. There are some social structures already in place, but there is still much room for improvement at my school. By engaging what I have learnt here into our school ethos will definitely make learning a more productive and positive experience for all children in our classrooms. 

Thank you so much Dr. Kris. I am enjoying the course very much. I will definitely revisit some of the posts.

Through participation in this course I have come to better appreciate the importance of self-reflection, particularly in my teaching practice. The School Based Teacher Development for Inclusive Education Training Handbook was insightful and provides practical strategies. I hope to draw on some of the strategies shared to better improve my teaching methodologies.

One of the recurring tenets of inclusion is the need for acceptance. I hope to inculcate acceptance for diversity in my children, by fostering traits of empathy, caring, respect, and tolerance for all.

Thank you Kris for the guidance. 

This course was an eye opener, understanding that acceptance is a major theme for successful learning. The four components were very knowledgeable on the protocols to make an inclusive learning environment. 

Thank you Kris.

Going back and reading other participants' contributions has broadened my knowledge and breadth of experience in inclusive education.

This course was very informative. Will re-visit. 

Bringing it all together

This Creating an inclusive school course focused on topics such as inclusive features, ethos, organizational structures, community, teacher training and stakeholdership commitment. The course provided greater depth of understanding of what inclusion is and what it is not.

As I progressed in this study, I found myself reflecting on the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030. Of the 17 SDGs,10 comprise tenets of inclusion that are linked to the targets of an inclusive school (poverty reduction, zero hunger, good health, quality education, gender equality, innovation and infrastructure, reduce inequality, sustainable communities and partnerships for goals). I reasoned further, that if school is seen as a microcosm of society with the capacity for inclusion and an equal capacity for dispersing inclusion practices out into the world, then, creating an inclusive school, is an educational imperative  of all administrators, teachers, children, parents and other stakeholders.

Our 21st Century Learners, (general education, special needs, children with disabilities, gifted or talented) in their inclusive school settings will all have equal opportunity to develop as creative, critical thinkers, problem-solvers, emotionally intelligent, effective communicators and value-centered individuals. Administrators who embrace this course will fulfill the objectives of becoming strong pro-inclusion leaders, manages of resources and materials, change agents and supportive role models. Teachers who embrace this course will fulfill the objectives of welcoming, collaborative educators, who are responsive to their students learning needs and who will display all the soft-skill attitudes and dispositions that reflect school inclusivity.

Fellow educators, if you can imagine a world of inclusive schools, then you can imagine a world where peace justice, strong institutions and governance is the new normal. Welcome to the journey of inclusion.

This is very instructive.

Thank you for calling attention to it Kris.

Two things that I look forward to using with my students are the Individual Plan form from week two and the Monitoring Inclusivity tool from week three. Both forms provide detailed information about how it can be effectively used to document and monitor children’s progress and inclusivity in a school. I have not seen many tools like these before and I have had challenges in effectively documenting the special needs of children in my class. As such, I believe that these tools will be very useful to me.

My main take away from this course, however, is the notion that there are both seen and unseen disabilities. Most times we tend to focus on what is visible or outstanding but there are so many needs of children that are not met daily because we overlook simple indications or the things that do not affect us directly as teachers. As such, I will try my best to be keener to the signs that students exude on a daily basis so as to ensure that I tend to the needs of all children in my effort to maintain an inclusive environment.

I have learnt so many new things that I believe will benefit the classroom. I have learnt in the beginning how important it is to work on your soft skills, attitude and how to effectively promote cultural diversity. With these I will establish a good ethos and culture, teaching strategy and build a positive support structure to manage, lead and break barriers to create an inclusive classroom and even school.

Two things I am taking forward with me are the component skills from the school-based teacher development handbook. I will focus on the right skills and resources I would need to prepare and teach diverse learners in my future classroom. I am also going to take the different ways in which my school can monitor inclusivity. I find the questionnaires to be a great tool for parents and the tutor group system for teacher to learn about student progress or problems in the classroom.

Thank you so much Dr Kris and the team! I really learned and gathered a lot about creating an inclusive school. 

Two things I would take way are firstly, the 4 transitional themes in creating a learning organization: Trust, Time, Technology and Thinking together. This will definitely help with creating the TGMs and involvement with outside agencies. 

Secondly, I would definitely take away the Inclusive Teacher qualities mentioned in the SBTD, such as being able to question appropriately with prompts /probes and using open ended questions; being able to notice our students and focus on their self esteem and being flexible. It was a good reminder and will help me create that inclusive ethos in not only my classroom but eventually the school.

I wish to thank Dr. Kris and the team for this very helpful, and inspiring course they created for us. I certainly feel more knowledgeable in the area of inclusive education which is something I believe can be overlooked in mainstream schools set in traditional ways of teaching. 

Some points I brought together from the previous weeks in summary are: An inclusive school doesn't only mean having special needs children sitting in the classroom as a part of the group, but the school must first create the atmosphere and shared behaviors with learner centered attitudes and values, positivity and helpfulness to all students with special needs in order to make them feel valued and acknowledged with an inclusive ethos. Teachers need to receive professional development training and collaboration opportunities to learn and create strategies for an inclusive classroom. To create an inclusive school, it extends beyond the physical aspects such as infrastructure developments to assist students with special needs, but also includes the influence of the school staff, stakeholders, families and community in a joint effort to encourage inclusive education. A strong social capital is key in building supportive relationships with groups to assist all students.  "It takes a village to raise a child." 

Two things I look forward to using at my institution will be the TESSA Inclusive Education Toolkit for future teacher trainings so we can work towards creating a more inclusive classroom. I also want to implement Monitoring Inclusivity Resources to ensure the school stays on its path towards becoming an inclusive school. 

It has been a pleasure to be a part of this course, thank you once again and may you all be safe and well.

I have to say that participating in this course was illuminating for my practice. I was able to gain new information and skills to improve my practice, and I felt validated in some ways as I and my school already engage in some of these inclusive practices.

Two of the main things I will take forward with me will be:

 1. Attempting to try many different approaches and use varying resources to reach children of varying needs, abilities and interests.

2. Using the resources for in-school collaborative development and doing the plan, do, review approach with my colleagues, and using inclusion monitoring tools.

"It takes a village to raise a child', sums up this entire course. It  aptly describes how all stakeholders within and outside of the school system are essential in creating an inclusive school. From administration and staff to the parents, students and the individual stakeholders to the wider business community, there are significant changes that their contributions make when well balanced and blended together. Team building and support for teachers is a central factor in inclusiveness. 

I believe also that creating an atmosphere where children learn how important they are as diverse individuals must always be established. Self-worth and worth of others is a valuable lesson that strengthens their learning moments. Students naturally socialize and its up to us to help them to recognize that there are strengths and weaknesses in everyone and that they can compliment one another.

Thank you, I have learnt so much from this course. I have encouraged everyone I know to please do it. The information is very valuable to all who is on the journey to creating an inclusive school.